4th ANNUAL NIGHT OF HOPE ADDING TO $1.35 MILLION ALREADY RAISED TO FIGHT ALS/LOU GEHRIG'S DISEASE

The fourth annual Night of Hope Gala, an evening celebrating and supporting ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease) will take place October 2, 2009 at the Intercontinental Hotel Buckhead.

Since the first event in 2006, over $1.35 million has been raised to fund research for the treatments and cure of the debilitating disease. The black-tie event is expecting 600 people in attendance and is anticipated to raise more than $700,000. The funds are allocated for the Muscular Dystrophy Association's ALS Division, which leads the worldwide scientific search for treatments and a cure for ALS. This devastating neuromuscular disease affects more than 30,000 Americans. Currently, more than 200 Georgians are affected with ALS.

This year's event will be hosted by Gala Chairs Leslie and Payton Neely and Brigitte and Bill Peck. Honorary Gala Chairs are Pam and Steve Wakefield.

Gala Chair Leslie Neely's father Gerald Lawhorn was diagnosed with ALS in June 2005 and died October 2008. Leslie is honoring her father by committing to fight to find a cure: "My dad was the founder of PetroSouth and an avid Boy Scout supporter. He was an Eagle Scout and was awarded many Scouting awards as an adult. My dad was a very energetic and brilliant man, who inspired many to achieve their life long dreams. I joined the Gala committee in his honor. Watching my father die of such a horrible disease was excruciating. It is my commitment to raise awareness and funding for ALS research; no one should have to die this way.”

Gala Chair Brigitte Roufail Peck also honors a close friend during this year's event. "My best friend Christy Sloan died of ALS in 2004, just before her 36th birthday,” Brigitte stated. "During the time she battled Lou Gehrig's Disease, she started every day by asking herself what she was thankful for and ended every day by saying that ‘doing nothing is not an option.' I am thankful that through the MDA Night of Hope Gala, I can honor her courage and commitment to finding a cure for this devastating disease. Until that happens, doing nothing will certainly not be an option for me either.”

The 2009 Night of Hope is proud to honor Pam and Steve Wakefield for their role in the fight to find a cure for ALS. Steve, who served Presidents Richard Nixon and Georgia H.W. Bush and was the first General Counsel for Southern Company, received his initial diagnosis in 1999. Since that time, he has been active in the search for a cure and currently serves on the Board of Governors of the Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins. Pam has been a partner in her husband’s efforts on behalf of ALS Research. Pam also lends her considerable talents to, among others, the Southeastern Flower Show, The Cathedral Antiques Show, and the Atlanta Ballet Ball. Please join us on October 2 as we salute Pam and Steve for the leadership they have shown in forwarding the cause of ALS research.

The Night of Hope Gala 2009 generous sponsors include Atlanta Social Season Magazine, CITGO, Southern Company, Sanofi Aventis, Coca-Cola Bottlers Association, Coca-Cola Bottling Works of Tullahoma, Choate Construction, Petro South and Fidelity Bank among many others. Guests will enjoy live entertainment by the Craig Duncan Orchestra, Live and Silent Auctions and a distinguished guest list.

Event auction items have included an African Safari, an Alaskan fishing trip, Super Bowl tickets, fabulous jewelry, signed sports memorabilia and many other items. The sold out 2008 event was also held at the InterContinental Buckhead, and raised more than $525,000 for ALS research.

Tickets are $200 each. For more information, to purchase tickets, or to enquire about sponsoring or donating to the event, contact MDA at 770.491.6045.